Consider Staying at Playa Viva in Juluchuca, Mexico

Insights from Dinogo

Since its opening in 2008, Playa Viva has transformed a barren 200-acre site into a thriving ecological reserve featuring five biophilic hotel rooms nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the majestic Sierra Madre mountains. This initiative has also supported the nearby village of Juluchuca through contributions to education, healthcare, and job creation. Over the years, the beachfront resort has expanded to include 19 accommodations, featuring unique bamboo tree houses inspired by mobula rays, added in 2021.

In January 2023, the nonprofit impact assessment organization B Corporation awarded Playa Viva a score of 110, the highest rating for any hotel, highlighting its positive impact on local communities and the environment. This score reflects practices such as sustainable construction with natural and locally sourced materials, an on-site permaculture farm providing fresh produce for the restaurant, a solar power plant enabling complete energy independence, and biodiversity restoration efforts, including a sanctuary for sea turtles. Additionally, Playa Viva commits at least 10 percent of its annual profits to support environmental and community initiatives, regardless of financial outcomes.

Who is this for?

Active travelers and adventurous families looking for a fulfilling vacation that includes volunteer opportunities (children under five stay for free); socially responsible couples who enjoy picking up beach litter during their sunset strolls. The all-inclusive resort is particularly favored by yoga enthusiasts for its five- to seven-day yoga retreats. Ocean swimmers and families with young children should be aware that the surf can sometimes be rough (there's no lifeguard), but an alternative is the beachside infinity pool.

This isn’t the ideal spot for those who are uncomfortable with insects—especially scorpions. Upon check-in, you’ll receive a black light torch for checking the sandy paths at night (I did spot a few), particularly during the warmer months from April to June.

The Destination

Playa Viva is situated a mere 40 minutes south of the international airport in Zihuatanejo, yet it retains a sense of untamed beauty: the nearest village, Juluchuca, has a population of under 700 residents. The powerful sounds of the ocean waves can sometimes be overwhelming (perfect for boogie boarding), and as the sun sets, vibrant colors light up the sky. With no light pollution, I was fortunate to witness a partial lunar eclipse from the comfort of my tree house hammock. On a different evening, I participated with volunteers from La Tortuga Viva (a local organization established by Playa Viva in 2010) to observe an Olive Ridley sea turtle nesting and covering her eggs in a protected area, later assisting in their transfer to a safe incubation zone on nearby dunes.

The Accommodations

Among the 19 available accommodations, seven beachfront tree houses rise six feet above the sand, providing stunning ocean views from nearly every angle, including from the mosquito net-covered beds. However, these unique structures, designed by the holistic architecture firm Nomadic Resorts, are not suited for those who prioritize privacy, as they feature only a couple of walls on either side of the bedrooms instead of a full enclosure. Additionally, they lack amenities like TV and air conditioning, though guests can enjoy refreshing sea breezes that help alleviate the heat.

Families with young children may find the twelve terrestrial palapa-roofed suites and casitas to be a more comfortable choice. (We narrowly avoided disaster in a tree house with our crawling nine-month-old daughter, but it was stressful!) These rooms feel more secure and private, accommodating up to four guests with versatile bedding options, such as king beds that can convert into two singles or trundle beds.

Culinary Offerings

The dining experience features buffets filled with health-conscious Mexican cuisine, utilizing as many organic ingredients as possible sourced from the resort’s own farm as well as local growers. Guests can enjoy house-made tortillas topped with fresh cheese, vibrant salads, chilaquiles, ceviches, grilled marlin, tortilla soup, and zucchini noodles. Meals are enjoyed at large communal wooden tables in the open-air dining hall, which boasts earthen walls adorned with fragments of sea turtle eggshells and pieces of broken pottery. For a more intimate setting, guests can request a private table, as my husband and I did to celebrate our anniversary.

Guests can also indulge in alcoholic beverages and blended drinks (for an additional charge) at the outdoor bar, where the highlight is a delicious frozen basil margarita. To learn about the origins of the basil and other produce, the permaculture manager offers tours of the property’s 49-acre carbon-capturing farm, which kids will adore for its piglets and fruit tasting opportunities.

Personnel and Hospitality

Friendly, family-like, and engaging. The staff, often referred to as 'holistic hosts' (who serve as concierges and yoga instructors), typically share meals with guests. Many team members were more than willing to hold or babysit my preciosa daughter.

Accessibility Features

While none of the accommodations are fully accessible, room 10 (a King EcoCasita) comes closest, featuring an entrance ramp in place of stairs and being conveniently located near the resort's common areas.

Activities Beyond the Beach

While guests are encouraged to avoid scheduling any activities for the first day or two, there is more than enough to keep anyone entertained for weeks. Off-site adventures include an ATV tour of a local family's farm, complete with a home-cooked lunch, and marine biodiversity excursions with the conservation group Whales of Guerrero, where visitors might spot humpback whales between January and March. On-site, guests can participate in energizing temazcal ceremonies aimed at purification and intention setting, and there are several nearby Aztec archaeological sites to explore. Yoga classes are available six mornings a week in the sea turtle-themed shala, or yoga pavilion. Intermediate and advanced surfers can take advantage of the often substantial waves right in front of the resort, while beginners can request lessons at smaller breaks located about a 20- to 30-minute drive away.